'De wapenoeffeninge der Vereenighde Nederlanden is geduerende den oorlogh met den Koningh van Spanje [als] een schole van oorloghe by alle historieschrijvers genoemt en geroemt geweest...
The armed struggle of the United Netherlands during the war against the King of Spain is named and famed by all historians as a school of war.
[Johan van Boxel, 1670]
Prince Maurice (1567 1625) and the State Army
The year1568 saw the start of an armed rebellion in the Netherlands against the reigning monarch, King Philip II of Spain. It was the beginning of the Eighty Years War. Originally the rebels cause was advanced by mercenary armies and armed citizens. The Spanish army was one of the best in Europe. Its core was formed by enormous blocks of pike men, soldiers ranged in battle order, the so-called Tercios.
In order to present resistance against the Spaniards, the States-General of the republic of the United Provinces created its own army, known as the State Army. Prince Maurice (1567 1625), the commander-in-chief, introduced a number of reforms that finally led to enormous successes. His reforms were inspired by the example of the Roman army.
Maurice believed in permanent training and exercises. Hence the importance of keeping regular soldiers in service for longer periods and of paying them regularly. On the battlefield Maurice made use of smaller and more manoeuvrable formations than did the enemy. The State Army had a greater number of men carrying firearms, such as the roerschutters and musketeers.
